The Language Of Being On A Set

Whether you're working on or visiting a movie set, it's helpful to understand the language spoken by the film crew.  Both movie and television sets are filled with cast and crew running around using phrases that are generally known only to those who work in the industry on a daily basis.

I write a lot about actors and their work process on sets.  It's time to spotlight the language of the crew behind the movies and shows you enjoy watching.  Here's a (not so complete) list of the language used on sets:

• Back To One - When the director calls for "back to one, he's telling the actors to return to their first position in the scene.
• First Team - The main actors in a scene.  When they're summoned to set, the Assistant Director calls for the "first team".  The stand-ins and extras are the "second team"
• "Eyes On" - Spoken when a person or object is located on set.  For example, "I've got eyes on Zach Louis" has often been heard over crew radios.
• Magic Hour - The magic time not long after sunrise or shortly before sunset when the sunlight is not as bright and harsh as the rest of the day.  It's also the time of the afternoon when crews are scrambling to get their last shot before the sunlight is gone for the day.
• Turnaround - The amount of time off guaranteed for the crew thanks to the various agreements made by the unions.  It guarantees a certain amount of time off between shooting days.
• Last Look - The last look starts right before shooting begins.  It's the moment when the hair and makeup people double check the actors to make sure they look exactly as needed before the director yells "action".
• Flying In - Sometimes a piece of equipment is needed immediately on set.  The crew member bringing the required equipment is said to be "flying" it to the set.
• Strike The Set - Once the crew is done with a certain part of the set they are asked to "strike the set" and put away the props not needed for the next scene.
• Hot Set - Filming is active on the set.  No one should be walking around the active set while the crew is busy working.
• Raise The Stakes - This is the director's way of saying to make a bigger deal out of the scene. Increase your energy and take your performance to another level.
• Find More Peaks and Valleys in a Scene - Sometimes a scene just isn't working.  The best directors don't tell an actor how to play the scene in order to get a different take.  They tell the actor to "find more peaks and valleys".  By letting the actor determine the flow of the scene, the peaks and valleys will come naturally to the actor and the scene.
• Print - The director uses this phrase to state which take of a scene is to be used in the film.
• 10-1 or 10-2 - The phrase used to signify when someone is going to the bathroom.
• Mark - A spot on the floor marked by an "x" that tells the talent where to stand so they will be in line with the camera.

The world of film is filled with tons of inside words and phrases.  The above list is just the tip of the iceberg.  Let me know if you'd like to see a follow-up post to help make sure you're able to talk like a pro on movie and television sets.

This actor speaks "crew speak" as well as "teen speak".